Need Urgent Help on Setting up Filter Media

Hello,

I recently bought a 10g aquarium and use the Aqueon QuietFlow Power filter: http://www.petsmart.com/fish/filters/aqueon-quietflow-aquarium-power-filter-10-zid36-5141063/cat-36-catid-300088;pgid=vFliu_zVYJtSRpV0IuYwzLqZ0000z5NuqDwm;sid=GSaI7PmT7X6L7K7YX8_J6MuZ1vgaIDZNi-pOP1VP?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

I've decided to take out the sponge + carbon filter that comes with the original filter since I do not wish to re-cycle my tank every time I get a new filter cartridge, so I also bought this Fluval AquaClear Maintenance Kit

The problem is that I have no idea if I'm installing the new filter media correctly...
This is how the filter looks like with just the new sponge: Sponge
This is how the filter looks like with new sponge + carbon: Sponge&Carbon
This is how the filter looks like with new sponge + carbon + BIOMAX: All 3

If the photos are not clear, if I use all three of the filter inserts the filter does not entire work properly, there is too many things in there.

I considered taking away the carbon part because I hear that carbon is not 100% necessary? If I do this, the filter seems to run perfectly.

The question I have is, since the sponge sits at the very bottom of the filter, will the filter do a good job at keeping the tank clean? I'm not sure if the water will run through the sponge... Also, it is really OK to not use the carbon?

I hope someone can help me, if Reddit isn't the best place to post this are there any accurate and active Aquarium forums I can contact as well? Thank you.